What Is
Addiction?Addiction is a condition that results when a person
ingests a substance (e.g., alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or
engages in an activity (e.g., gambling, sex, shopping) that
can be pleasurable but the continuation of which becomes
compulsive and interferes with ordinary responsibilities and
concerns, such as work, relationships, or health. People who
have developed an addiction may not be aware that their
behavior is out of control and causing problems for
themselves and others.

The word addiction is used in several
different ways. One definition describes physical addiction.
This is a biological state in which the body adapts to the
presence of a drug so that drug no longer has the same
effect, otherwise known as a tolerance. Another form of
physical addiction is the phenomenon of overreaction by the
brain to drugs (or to cues associated with the drugs). An
alcoholic walking into a bar, for instance, will feel an
extra pull to have a drink because of these cues.

However, most addictive behavior is
not related to either physical tolerance or exposure to
cues. People commonly use drugs, gamble, or shop
compulsively in reaction to being stressed, whether or not
they have a physical addiction. Since these psychologically
based addictions are not based on drug or brain effects,
they can account for why people frequently switch addictive
actions from one drug to a completely different kind of
drug, or even to a non-drug behavior. The focus of the
addiction isn't what matters; it's the need to take action
under certain kinds of stress. Treating this kind of
addiction requires an understanding of how it works
psychologically.

When referring to any kind of
addiction, it is important to recognize that its cause is
not simply a search for pleasure and that addiction has
nothing to do with one's morality or strength of character.
Experts debate whether addiction is a "disease" or a true
mental illness, whether drug dependence and addiction mean
the same thing, and many other aspects of addiction. Such
debates are not likely to be resolved soon. But the lack of
resolution does not preclude effective treatment.Source: www.psychologytoday.com/basics/addiction

Addiction and
Substance Use DisordersAddiction is a complex condition, a brain disease that
is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful
consequence. People with addiction (severe substance use
disorder) have an intense focus on using a certain
substance(s), such as alcohol or drugs, to the point that it
takes over their life. They keep using alcohol or a drug
even when they know it will causes problems. Yet a number of
effective treatments are available and people can recover
from addiction and lead normal, productive lives.

People can develop an addiction
to:

Alcohol

Marijuana

PCP, LSD and other
hallucinogens

Inhalants, such as, paint thinners
and glue

Opioid pain killers, such as
codeine and oxycodone, heroin

Sedatives, hypnotics and
anxiolytics (medicines for anxiety such as
tranquilizers)

Cocaine, methamphetamine and other
stimulants

Tobacco

People with a substance use disorder
have distorted thinking, behavior and body functions.
Changes in the brains wiring are what cause people to
have intense cravings for the drug and make it hard to stop
using the drug. Brain imaging studies show changes in the
areas of the brain that relate to judgment, decision making,
learning, memory and behavior control.

These substances can cause harmful
changes in how the brain functions. These changes can last
long after the immediate effects of the drug  the
intoxication. Intoxication is the intense pleasure, calm,
increased senses or a high caused by the drug. Intoxication
symptoms are different for each substance.

Over time people with addiction build
up a tolerance, meaning they need larger amounts to feel the
effects.

According to the National Institute on
Drug Abuse, people begin taking drugs for a variety of
reasons, including:

to feel good  feeling of
pleasure, high

to feel better  e.g.,
relieve stress

to do better  improve
performance

curiosity and peer
pressure

People with addictive disorders may be
aware of their problem, but be unable to stop it even if
they want to. The addiction may cause health problems as
well as problems at work and with family members and
friends. The misuse of drugs and alcohol is the leading
cause of preventable illnesses and premature
death.

Symptoms of substance use disorder are
grouped into four categories:

Impaired control: a craving or
strong urge to use the substance; desire or failed
attempts to cut down or control substance use

Social problems: substance use
causes failure to complete major tasks at work, school or
home; social, work or leisure activities are given up or
cut back because of substance use

Risky use: substance is used in
risky settings; continued use despite known
problems

Drug effects: tolerance (need for
larger amounts to get the same effect); withdrawal
symptoms (different for each substance)

Many people experience both mental
illness and addiction. The mental illness may be present
before the addiction. Or the addiction may trigger or make a
mental disorder worse.

Treatment
How Is Addiction Treated?

Effective treatments for addiction are
available.

The first step on the road to recovery
is recognition of the problem. The recovery process can be
hindered when a person denies having a problem and lacks
understanding about substance misuse and addiction. The
intervention of concerned friends and family often prompts
treatment.

A health professional can conduct a
formal assessment of symptoms to see if a substance use
disorder exists. Even if the problem seems severe, most
people with a substance use disorder can benefit from
treatment. Unfortunately, many people who could benefit from
treatment dont receive help.

Because addiction affects many aspects
of a persons life, multiple types of treatment are
often required. For most, a combination of medication and
individual or group therapy is most effective. Treatment
approaches that address an individuals situation and
any co-occurring medical, psychiatric and social problems
can lead to sustained recovery.

Medications are used to control drug
cravings and relieve severe symptoms of withdrawal. Therapy
can help addicted individuals understand their behavior and
motivations, develop higher self-esteem, cope with stress
and address other mental health problems. Treatment may also
include:

Hospitalization

Outpatient programs

Many people find self-help groups for
individuals (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous) as
well as their family members (Al-Anon or Nar-Anon Family
Groups) useful.

Prevention
Drug addiction is preventable. Drug education and
prevention efforts aimed at children and adolescents and
involving families, schools, communities and media can be
effective in reducing drug misuse.

Risk and Protective
Factors for Drug Misuse and
Addiction

Aggressive behavior in
childhood/Good self-control

Lack of parental
supervision/Parental monitoring and
support

Poor social skills/Positive
relationships

Drug experimentation/Academic
competence

Availability of drugs at
school/School anti-drug policies

Community
poverty/Neighborhood pride

These 13 principles of effective drug
addiction treatment were developed based on three decades of
scientific research. Research shows that treatment can help
drug-addicted individuals stop drug use, avoid relapse and
successfully recover their lives.

1. Addiction is a complex, but
treatable, disease that affects brain function and
behavior.

2. No single treatment is appropriate
for everyone.

3. Treatment needs to be readily
available.

4. Effective treatment attends to
multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug
abuse.

5. Remaining in treatment for an
adequate period of time is critical.

6. Counseling individual and/or
group and other behavioral therapies are the most
commonly used forms of drug abuse treatment.

7. Medications are an important
element of treatment for many patients, especially when
combined with counseling and other behavioral
therapies.

8. An individuals treatment and
services plan must be assessed continually and modified as
necessary to ensure it meets his or her changing
needs.

9. Many drug-addicted individuals also
have other mental disorders.

10. Medically assisted detoxification
is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself
does little to change long-term drug abuse.

11.Treatment does not need to be
voluntary to be effective.

12. Drug use during treatment must be
monitored continuously, as lapses during treatment do
occur.

13. Treatment programs should assess
patients for the presence of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C,
tuberculosis and other infectious diseases, as well as
provide targeted risk-reduction counseling to help patients
modify or change behaviors that place them at risk of
contracting or spreading infectious diseases.Source: National
Institute on Drug Abuse. These principles are detailed in
NIDAs Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A
Research-Based Guide.

How to Help a
Friend or Family MemberSome suggestions to get started:

Learn all you can about alcohol and
drug misuse and addiction.

Speak up and offer your support:
talk to the person about your concerns, and offer your
help and support, including your willingness to go with
them and get help. Like other chronic diseases, the
earlier addiction is treated, the better.

Express love and concern:
dont wait for your loved one to hit
bottom. You may be met with excuses, denial or
anger. Be prepared to respond with specific examples of
behavior that has you worried.

Dont expect the person to
stop without help: you have heard it before - promises to
cut down, stop - but, it doesnt work. Treatment,
support, and new coping skills are needed to overcome
addiction to alcohol and drugs.

Support recovery as an ongoing
process: once your friend or family member is receiving
treatment, or going to meetings, remain involved.
Continue to show that you are concerned about his/her
successful long-term recovery.

Some things you dont want to
do:

Don't preach: Dont lecture,
threaten, bribe, preach or moralize.

Don't be a martyr: Avoid emotional
appeals that may only increase feelings of guilt and the
compulsion to drink or use other drugs.

Don't cover up, lie or make
excuses for his/her behavior.

Don't assume their
responsibilities: taking over their responsibilities
protects them from the consequences of their
behavior.

Don't argue when using: avoid
arguing with the person when they are using alcohol or
drugs; at that point he/she cant have a rational
conversation.

Dont feel guilty or
responsible for their behavior; its not your
fault.

Don't join them: dont try to
keep up with them by drinking or using.

Adapted from: National Council on
Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

Related
ConditionsIn the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), gambling disorder is
included in a new category on behavioral addictions. This
reflects research findings that gambling disorder is similar
to substance-related disorders in many ways. Recognizing
these similarities will help people with gambling disorder
get needed treatment and services, and may help others
better understand the challenges.

Internet gaming disorder is
included in DSM-5 in the section of disorders requiring
further research. This reflects the scientific literature
showing that persistent and recurrent use of Internet
games, and a preoccupation with them, can result in
clinically significant impairment or distress. The
condition criteria do not include general use of the
Internet or social media.

Caffeine Use Disorder
Caffeine intoxication and caffeine withdrawal are
included in DSM-5. Caffeine use disorder, however, is in
the section of DSM-5 for conditions requiring further
research. While there is evidence to support this as a
disorder, experts conclude it is not yet clear to what
extent it is a clinically significant disorder.

9 Facts About
Addiction People Usually Get WrongTheres a lot that people get wrong about substance
use disorders, treatment and recovery. Dont let social
judgment or misinformation stand in the way of getting your
child the help he or she needs and deserves. Weve put
together 9 facts about addiction so you can be better
prepared to help your child.

#1 Fact: Substance use changes
the brain, which can make drug use compulsive

An adolescent may start out doing
drugs occasionally or may be prescribed medicine by a
doctor. Over time, continued use rewires the brain to
compulsively seek substances, despite negative consequences.
With opioids, a person may initially like the euphoria, but
soon, the drug is needed just to feel normal and not get
sick from withdrawal. LEARN MORE: Addiction
is a chronic medical disease of the
brain.

#2 Fact: Expect your child to
"just quit" cold turkey is unrealistic

Changing substance use behavior is a
process. In the beginning your child may not think there is
a problem. Next, she may realize it is a problem, but feel
conflicted about addressing it. Then she needs to figure out
how to deal with it and take steps in a healthier direction,
including getting professional help, changing friends,
learning drug refusal skills and more. LEARN MORE:
Find
out how you can best suggest treatment to your
child.

#3 Fact: Intervening early is
more effective than waiting for "rock
bottom".

Because behavior change is a process,
instead of letting your son or daughter hit their lowest
point, it's important to help right away. And it is much
easier to help when they are still engaged in school or
work, have social supports and interested in sports or
hobbies. In other words, they have structure, purpose and
social connectionsscaffolding needed for a good
outcome. LEARN MORE: Get
one-on-one help and support from our trained and caring
masters-level counselors.

#4 Fact: Your child can be
ambivalent about treatment and it can still be
effective.

While some welcome the opportunity for
treatment, most will be conflicted about stopping their
substance use. Studies show those who enter drug treatment
programs as a result of loving pressure do comparatively
better in treatment, regardless of the reason they sought
treatment in the first place. LEARN MORE: Learn
how you can address your childs drug
use.

#5 Fact: Relapse is common and
represents a learning opportunity.

Relapse doesn't mean that treatment
hasn't worked. As with all chronic diseases, many people
have one or more relapses before achieving long-lasting
recovery. Relapses happen both when the person is doing well
or when struggling, and can serve as a learning opportunity
to identify what triggered the relapse -- and to find ways
to address it for the future. LEARN MORE: Read
5 Things You Need to Know About
Relapse.

#6 Fact: Positive behavior and
communication skills are more effective than
punishment.

Addiction is a brain disease and needs
family support as with any other chronic illness. Shaming,
detaching or punishing often backfires, with kids spiraling
further into risky substance use or isolation. What does
work is reinforcing positive behaviors, finding healthy
activities that compete with your child's use and letting
him or her experience natural consequences. Coupled with
empathy and compassion, this approach (known as CRAFT) is a
scientifically-proven way to help parents change their
child's substance use. LEARN MORE: Use
CRAFT skills to help your family heal.

#7 Fact: Finding an effective
approach for treatment can mean investigating different
doctors or programs before finding a good
"match."

The best programs give a screening and
in-depth assessment of your child by a qualified
professional versed in addiction and mental health. They
will develop an individual treatment plan and combine
methods tailored to address your child's specific needs. But
don't be discouraged if the first program you investigate is
not a good fit -- keep exploring other options. LEARN MORE:
Find
out more in our Treatment eBook.

#8 Fact: Medication-assisted
treatment, coupled with counseling, is the preferred
treatment for heroin and other opioids

Taking medication for an opioid
addiction is like taking medication for any other chronic
disease, like diabetes or asthma. Numerous studies have
shown that medications can reduce cravings, relapses and
overdoses when taken as prescribed. LEARN MORE:
Medication-Assisted
Treatment can help aid recovery.

#9 Fact: Many people
struggling with substance use require longer-term and/or
repeated treatment.